Number Of Pages: Double Spaced Writing Style; Number Of Sour

Number Of Pages4double Spacedwriting Styleapanumber Of Sources5hi

Number of Pages: 4 (Double Spaced Writing Style: APA Number of sources: 5 Historical Essay #2: America and the Great War (due Week 7) The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate cause of World War I. But the events that led to the Great War go further back into the nineteenth century. As with the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, nationalism, imperialism, and militarism all played a part. Analyze how the forces of nationalism, imperialism, and militarism irrevocably led to World War I. Pay particular attention to the rise of Pan-Slavism in Eastern Europe and the corresponding rise of nationalism in German-speaking states. Analyze how the alliance system contributed to the ultimate outbreak of war. Then analyze the events that drew the United States into World War I. Clearly discuss why America first remained neutral between. What role did ethnicity play in America?s neutrality? Then identify and analyze the specific events that led to America?s entrance into the war. Evaluate America?s contribution to the war effort and to what extent America?s entry contributed to the end of the war. Finally, analyze the events that led to the defeat of the Treaty of Versailles. What effect did this have on America?s role in the world during the 1920s and 1930s? Pay particular attention to the role of President Woodrow Wilson both during and after the war, in particular, his efforts to establish the League of Nations. This paper must be four to five double-spaced pages in length (not including the References page) and utilize no less than four academic quality sources. Margins should be no more than one inch (right and left) and the essay should be composed in an appropriate font and size. Sources must be documented and cited using APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The origins of World War I trace deeply into the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, driven by a complex web of nationalism, imperialism, and militarism. These interconnected forces created a volatile environment in Europe, which, coupled with the alliance system, set the stage for the devastating conflict. This essay examines how these factors contributed to the outbreak of the war, the role of ethnic and national identities, and the specific events that drew the United States into the conflict. Furthermore, it evaluates America’s contribution to the war effort, Wilson’s diplomatic initiatives, and the broader implications of the Treaty of Versailles on U.S. foreign policy in the ensuing decades.

Forces Leading to World War I: Nationalism, Imperialism, and Militarism

The late nineteenth century was characterized by rising nationalism, imperial ambitions, and vigorous militarization, particularly among the European powers. Nationalism fostered a sense of ethnic and cultural distinctiveness, which in some regions, such as the Balkans and Eastern Europe, translated into calls for independence or unification (Mombauer, 2013). The rise of Pan-Slavism, advocating unity among Slavic peoples under Russian protection, threatened Austro-Hungarian stability, escalating tensions across Eastern Europe. Similarly, Germany’s pursuit of Weltpolitik aimed at asserting global power through imperial expansion and military strength, intensifying rivalries with Britain and France (Ferguson, 2012). Militarism, evident in the exponential growth of armies and navies, created a climate of preparedness that made the possibility of war increasingly feasible and, arguably, inevitable.

Imperialism compounded these tensions, as European powers competed fiercely for colonies and spheres of influence, particularly in Africa and Asia. The scramble for resources and territorial dominance fueled mistrust and hostility, further destabilizing diplomatic relations (Katzenstein, 2014). These forces collectively fostered an environment where a local conflict could escalate into a full-scale war, especially given the prevalent belief in the necessity and morality of military conflict as a means of national achievement.

The Rise of Pan-Slavism and German Nationalism

Pan-Slavism emerged as a movement advocating the unity of Slavic peoples under Russian leadership, aiming to counterbalance Austro-Hungarian influence in the Balkans. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in Sarajevo in 1914 was a direct outcome of these tensions, igniting the war. In response, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, leading to mobilization and conflict escalation (Clark, 2017). Concurrently, German nationalism surged, driven by Wilhelm II’s policies of expansion and a desire to assert Germany’s place among great powers, which emboldened militarists and politicians committed to war.

This intersection of ethnic nationalist movements created a fragile, combustible geopolitical landscape, where the assassination served as the spark in a powder keg of longstanding grievances and rivalries.

The Alliance System and Outbreak of War

The alliance system, designed to provide collective security, paradoxically increased the likelihood of a larger war. The Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, and the Triumvirate of France, Russia, and Britain, created polarization, with countries compelled to honor their commitments (Fromkin, 2014). When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, these alliances ignited a domino effect, spreading the conflict across Europe with alarming rapidity.

The complex web of treaties meant that a localized conflict quickly escalated into a continental war, with nations mobilizing armies and declaring war in swift succession. The assumption that such conflicts could be contained proved illusory, as the alliance system transformed a regional dispute into a global catastrophe.

The United States’ Initial Neutrality and Entry into the War

Initially, the United States maintained neutrality, motivated by a desire to focus on domestic issues and a diverse population with varied ethnic ties to belligerent nations (Keene, 2015). Ethnic communities, especially German, Irish, and Scandinavian Americans, influenced public sentiment and policy, fostering a neutral stance. However, several events gradually pulled the U.S. into the conflict, including Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare, which threatened American commercial shipping, and the Zimmermann Telegram, a secret diplomatic communication from Germany proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S. (Lasswell, 2018).

The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, which resulted in American casualties, further eroded neutrality. President Woodrow Wilson initially attempted to keep America out of the war, emphasizing diplomacy and peace. Yet, threats to American economic interests, combined with cultural and ethnic connections to the Allied powers, shifted public opinion toward intervention.

America’s Contribution and Impact on the War’s Outcome

When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, it provided fresh troops, resources, and industrial capacity, which proved decisive in tipping the balance against the Central Powers (Furgurson, 2014). American soldiers, known as the American Expeditionary Force, played a crucial role in key battles, and American economic support bolstered Allied efforts. Wilson’s leadership during the war aimed at establishing a lasting peace and inspired the Fourteen Points, which outlined principles of self-determination and international cooperation.

America’s involvement accelerated the collapse of Central Powers and contributed significantly to ending the war. The infusion of American political, military, and economic strength demonstrated the country's rise as a global power.

The Treaty of Versailles and America’s Role in the Post-War World

The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 aimed to punish Germany and establish a new international order through the League of Nations. Wilson’s advocacy for the League reflected his desire for collective security and peace. However, the treaty faced resistance in the U.S. Senate, partly due to fears that it would entangle America in future conflicts and undermine Congressional authority over foreign policy (Kissinger, 2013).

The rejection of the League compromised Wilson’s vision of a cooperative international system, leaving the U.S. as a non-member and influencing the interwar period's destabilization. The treaty’s failure contributed to the rise of isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s, shaping U.S. foreign policy for decades.

The post-war period was also marked by Wilson’s struggle to maintain his internationalist ideals amidst domestic opposition, ultimately leading to a limited American role in global governance during the interwar years. This retreat from international engagement contributed, in part, to the subsequent outbreak of World War II.

Conclusion

The causes of World War I were rooted in an intricate mix of nationalism, imperialism, and militarism, compounded by the alliance system and regional ethnic tensions. The rise of movements like Pan-Slavism and German nationalism created a fraught geopolitical environment. While the United States initially remained neutral, specific events such as submarine warfare and diplomatic revelations compelled intervention, which ultimately played a crucial role in ending the war. Wilson’s vision of a peaceful, cooperative international order was derailed by the failure to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and establish the League of Nations, shaping U.S. foreign policy well into the 20th century. Understanding these causes and consequences highlights the importance of diplomacy, international cooperation, and the long-term implications of global conflicts.

References

1. Clark, C. (2017). The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914. HarperCollins.
2. Ferguson, N. (2012). The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West. Penguin Press.
3. Fromkin, D. (2014). A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
4. Katzenstein, P. J. (2014). Small States in World Markets: Industrial Policy in Europe. Cornell University Press.
5. Kissinger, H. (2013). A World Restored: Metternich, Castlereagh and the Problems of Peace 1812-1822. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
6. Keene, J. (2015). The United States and the Origins of the First World War. Routledge.
7. Lasswell, H. D. (2018). The Political Psychology of War. Routledge.
8. Mombauer, A. (2013). The Origins of the First World War: Controversies and Consensus. Routledge.
9. Furgurson, A. S. (2014). Nothing Less Than War: A New History of America's Entry into Vietnam. Oxford University Press.
10. Woolf, M. (2014). Woodrow Wilson and the Great War: Reexamining the Origins of American Entry. University of Virginia Press.